GARDENING
ABOVE: Patrick and Lesley Richardson take a break from their fantastic efforts in keeping Hunstanton so attractive
The couple who keep Hunstanton blooming...
After last year’s sucess, hopes are high for Hunstanton’s performance in Britain in Bloom 2011. Charlotte Thorneycroft meets the tireless and eminently green-fingered Patrick and Lesley Richardson...
B
ritain in Bloom is one of the largest horticultural campaigns in Europe, working all year round to create a cleaner and greener Britain through community action. Organised by the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society), the ‘in Bloom’ journey starts at regional level, with around 1,100 villages, towns and cities taking part in the UK. 77 of these (including Hunstanton) have been nominated for the UK finals where they’ll be judged on horticultural achievement, community participation and environmental responsibility. The Hunstanton in Bloom Committee includes representatives from The Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, the Hunstanton Civic Society, the Hunstanton Allotment Holders’ Association, the 26
Hunstanton Gardeners’ Association, the Hunstanton Town Council, a representative from the Royal British Legion, a representative from Silfield Gardens, local business representatives and (last but by no means least!) local residents. The committee also works with a wide range of community groups such as local schools, Rainbows, Guides and the Trefoil Group. This is the third year Hunstanton has taken part, and after last year’s successful Silver Gilt award, everyone involved will be waiting with baited breath to see how Hunstanton fares at the 2011 award ceremony in September. Retired farmers Patrick and Lesley Richardson have been helping Hunstanton to bloom since the town first entered and have high hopes this year. They are
encouraging other residents to dig in to help secure the town a Gold Award for 2011. The green-fingered couple, who are members of the Hunstanton in Bloom committee, will often be found amongst the town’s many impressive floral displays dead-heading, weeding and planting. Together with a host of other volunteers, they join forces with the town and borough councils to make the most of Hunstanton’s open spaces. Since first getting involved in the Britain In Bloom campaign in 2005, Hunstanton has established an enviable reputation for horticultural excellence and many unkempt areas have been transformed. Key achievements include the creation of the Boston Square sensory garden in 1998, KLmagazine March 2011